BMW R68

1952 - 1954

1.452 motorcycles produced

BMW R68 is the most desirable motorcycle for a modern collector of classic motorcycles. The big German company wanting to compete the British companies Triumph and BSA with the fast twin motorcycles, in 1951 at the Frankfurt Motorcycle Show, presented the R68, a sport motorcycle similar with R67 but with bigger horsepower and top speed that reached a little more than 160 km/h.

The motorcycle had a two in one system of exhausts equivalent with that of sport motorcycles’ R51/3 of Meier, Zeller and Kraus famous race drivers in International Six Days Trial (ISDT).

The engine was 594 cc but the power increased to 35 bhp in 7.000 rpm with top speed a little more than 160 km/h and without sidecar mount on the frame. Later in 1953 a sidecar mount was added.

The production reached only 1.452 motorcycles and BMW R 68 remains until today the rarest postwar BMW motorcycle.

BMW R68 is probably the most expensive classic BMW production motorcycle. It's price in immaculate condition reaches 35.700* euros. Nowadays it's price can reach 60.000 euros.



*Source for BMW R68 price: Motorrad Classic/Heft 7/2.9.2011, page 61